Skift Take
It's not just the weather that's scaring off customers. Intense security and free food and drink from corporate sponsors are keeping delegates at private events rather than in the streets.
Streets in the heart of downtown are eerily quiet, key intersections blocked off. Even the best restaurants are easy to get into without a reservation or much of a wait.
It's supposed to be an honor to be picked as the host city of a presidential nominating convention.
But so far, a combination of nasty weather, tight security that blocks off streets and a delay in Republican National Convention activities has left Tampa's streets deserted, its restaurants nearly empty. Some merchants remain hopeful they'll make up for it in the next several days, while others worry they've lost so much money from investing in extra staff, food and merchandise that no amount of business will put them in the black this week.
[caption id="attachment_20067" align="alignright" width="420"] A street in downtown Tampa is shown Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2012, in Tampa, Fla. Photo by AP Photo/Chris O'Meara.[/caption]
Jef
